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Saturday January 4, 2025

January 4, 2025 by Graeme MacKay

As Canada faces the challenges posed by Trump's second presidency, the nation must assert its sovereignty and strategically address economic, immigration, and military concerns to safeguard its future.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday January 4, 2025

Standing Strong: Canada’s Path in the Trump Era

Trump’s second-term picks reveal a Cabinet stacked with loyalists, media personalities, and ultra-wealthy allies, sparking concern over the erosion of apolitical governance.

November 14, 2024

As Canadians, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment, facing an existential threat with the inauguration of Donald Trump for a second term as President of the United States. The looming Trump presidency raises pressing concerns about our economy, immigration, military, and the very future of Canada as an independent nation. Are we ready to confront these challenges? The answer is uncertain, but we must prepare swiftly and strategically.

One of the most immediate threats is economic. Trump’s proposed 25% tariffs on Canadian goods could disrupt our deeply integrated trade relationship with the U.S. The so-called “Trump tax” would not only inflate prices for American consumers but also jeopardize the stability of Canadian industries reliant on cross-border trade. Canada must leverage its economic strengths, such as its energy exports, to negotiate favourable terms and mitigate potential damage. We must communicate clearly to the American public about the adverse effects of the “Trump tax,” framing it as a burden that will lead to increased consumer costs and inflation.

News: Canada’s fight with Trump isn’t just economic, it’s existential

Canada Post’s holiday strike highlights the absurdity of outdated labor tactics in a world where private alternatives thrive, pushing Canadians to move on permanently from a once-vital service.

December 12, 2024

Immigration and border security are also in the spotlight. Trump’s rhetoric has focused on perceived threats from Canada, including the fictional narrative of fentanyl trafficking. Rather than capitulating to these unfounded claims, Canada should highlight reciprocal issues, such as the influx of firearms from the U.S. into Canada, which poses a genuine threat to our safety and security. Collaborative solutions that address mutual concerns are essential, rather than unilateral demands that only serve to strain our relationship.

On the military front, Trump’s presidency may pressure Canada to increase defence spending and align more closely with U.S. military objectives. While collaboration is important, we must ensure that our military policies reflect Canadian values and priorities. Maintaining our sovereignty means making independent decisions that serve our national interests, not merely acquiescing to external pressures.
As we face these challenges, Canada must decide whether to “suck up” or “stand up” to the Trump administration. History has shown that appeasement often leads to subservience, while standing firm can earn respect and preserve sovereignty. We should take a page from past leaders like Jean Chrétien, who stood up to U.S. pressure when necessary. Our strategy should embrace diplomacy backed by strength, ensuring that we are ready to assert our interests and protect our values.

Opinion: Canada must start talking about the Trump tax

The convergence of Elon Musk’s influence over U.S. elections, Donald Trump’s authoritarian ambitions, and Vladimir Putin’s geopolitical agenda feels eerily like the unfolding of a real-life James Bond thriller, with democracy and global security hanging in the balance.

October 26, 2024

Internally, Canada must foster national unity and preparedness. Our leaders, both federal and provincial, need to coordinate a cohesive response that reflects the will of Canadians. Public support is crucial, and engaging citizens in understanding the stakes can empower our government to take decisive actions.

The looming Trump presidency presents significant challenges, but it also offers an opportunity for Canada to reaffirm its independence and resilience. By strategically addressing economic, immigration, and military concerns, and by standing firm in diplomatic dealings, Canada can emerge from this uncertain period with confidence, maintaining its status as a sovereign nation. The country needs to act decisively, drawing on our history, values, and collective strength, to ensure that Canada emerges stronger and more united than ever. (AI)

 

Posted in: Canada, USA Tagged: 2025-01, Border, Canada, Donald Trump, Elon Musk, fireworks, igloo, tariffs, Trump 2.0, USA

Friday December 6, 2024

December 6, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

Canada faces an impending migration crisis as U.S. deportation policies under Trump threaten to drive undocumented migrants north, testing Canada's strained asylum system and its commitment to humanitarian values.

Editorial Cartoon by Greme MacKay – The Hamilton Spectator –  Friday December 6. 2024

Canada Braces for Fallout as Trump’s Deportation Policies Create a Looming Crisis

As Trump's immigration crackdown looms, Canada faces an urgent need for a unified, practical approach to manage a potential migrant surge at its border while balancing security and humanitarian responsibilities.

November 12, 2024

Canada is standing on the brink of a new migration crisis, one that could shake the foundations of its immigration system and challenge its international reputation as a haven for refugees. As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to enact sweeping deportation measures in the United States, the consequences are poised to spill over the northern border. The United States’ mass deportation policies, coupled with the chilling rhetoric of its new “border czar,” Tom Homan, are sending a clear message: undocumented migrants are no longer welcome. For many, the prospect of “self-deportation” seems unavoidable, and Canada is the most logical destination.

News: Trump’s New ‘Border Czar’ Tells Democrats To ‘Get The Hell Out Of The Way’

July 28, 2023

But is Canada ready? The federal government has signalled that it is not. Ottawa’s recent moves, including a reduction in immigration targets, a suspension of private refugee sponsorship programs, and a global ad campaign cautioning asylum seekers against coming, suggest a country retreating from its welcoming stance. These measures appear to be preemptive, aimed at alleviating strain on a system already stretched to its limits. With an asylum backlog of over 260,000 cases, a housing crisis, and social services under pressure, Canada’s capacity to absorb a new wave of migrants is severely compromised.

This shift in Canada’s immigration philosophy is stark. In the past, Canada’s response to global migration crises was defined by its generosity, epitomized by the resettlement of tens of thousands of Syrian refugees starting in 2015. Private sponsorship programs empowered communities to offer a lifeline to those fleeing war and persecution. That model was not only cost-effective but celebrated as a testament to Canadian values of compassion and inclusivity. Today, those same programs are on hold, leaving countless lives in limbo.

February 23, 2017

The government’s messaging emphasizes the difficulty of claiming asylum, framing it as a deterrence strategy. Yet this approach may prove futile against the desperation of those facing deportation from the United States. For undocumented migrants caught in the crosshairs of Trump’s hardline immigration agenda, Canada represents not just a choice but a necessity. Fear of ICE raids and the harsh reality of U.S. immigration enforcement will likely drive many to seek refuge north of the border, regardless of Ottawa’s attempts to discourage them.

News: Canada warns claiming asylum is ‘not easy’ with new global ad campaign

Canada’s restrictive turn carries broader implications. As anti-immigrant sentiments rise globally, including within Canada itself, the danger lies in conflating systemic issues—like housing shortages and bureaucratic inefficiencies—with the actions of migrants. This rhetoric risks eroding the multicultural fabric that has defined Canada for decades. Already, reports of increased racism and discrimination, coupled with growing public resentment toward immigrants, point to a troubling trend.

July 17, 2018

The timing of Canada’s policy shift could not be worse. Trump’s policies will create a wave of forced displacement, and Canada is unprepared to handle the repercussions. Yet, the country’s response to this challenge will define its character on the world stage. Will Canada lean into its humanitarian values and find innovative ways to support those seeking safety, or will it follow the path of deterrence and exclusion? The coming months will demand urgent action, not just to manage borders but to uphold the ideals that Canada has long championed. How Ottawa chooses to respond will resonate far beyond its borders, offering a test case for whether compassion can endure in an increasingly divided world.


There seems to be an uneasy calm before the storm regarding the impending wave of asylum seekers headed for Canada due to Donald Trump’s harsh deportation policies. In my latest cartoon, you’ll see Justin Trudeau and Immigration Minister Marc Miller casually shuffling around some red velvet stanchion ropes, seemingly unprepared for the flood of humanity that might soon be knocking at our door.

This cartoon serves as a stark reminder that while Trump focuses on the movement of drugs and tightening borders, the real human cost is often overlooked. Many undocumented migrants will—or have already begun—fleeing the U.S. and seeking refuge in Canada, yet our officials appear to be in denial about the potential crisis ahead. With Canada’s asylum system already stretched thin, the shift from a welcoming humanitarian approach to a more restrictive stance raises serious questions about our readiness to uphold our values.

There’s a sense that politeness reigns. What’s the point of getting bent out of shape about a crisis that hasn’t fully materialized yet? The challenging times we find ourselves in are partly due to the polite generosity of allowing too many in, which has led to several crises. Just in the past couple of days I’ve heard of several academic acquaintances of mine losing their long term positions because the government has stopped colleges from using foreign applicants as commodities to rake in foreign cash. Just one example of the ripple effects of poorly thought out generosity.

It’s crucial for us as Canadians to reflect on how we want to respond. Are we willing to embrace our tradition of compassion, or will we retreat into a mindset of exclusion? The future of our immigration policy is at a crossroads, and how we choose to act will not only affect those seeking safety but also shape Canada’s global reputation.

Please subscribe to my Substack newsletter, if you haven’t already. Posts come out every Friday as I summarize the week that was in my editorial cartoons. What you’re reading now is regarded as a “note”, which is used to help compose my weekly posts and showcase the animated versions of my daily editorial cartoons. Subscriptions will always be free – as long as my position remains as a staff editorial cartoonist. Thanks.

Please enjoy the making-of clip of my December 6 editorial cartoon, don’t forget to turn up the sound:

– The Graeme Gallery

Read on Substack

 

Posted in: Canada, USA Tagged: 2024-21, 2024-22, Border, Canada, Deportation, Donald Trump, Immigration, Justin Trudeau, Marc Miller, refugees, security, Substack, USA

Tuesday November 12, 2024

November 12, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday November 12, 2024

Canada Cannot Wait: Urgent Action Needed as U.S. Migrant Crisis Moves North

Chrystia Freeland’s assurances that Canada will be “absolutely fine” under a Trump presidency lack specificity, leaving Canadians skeptical and searching for real solutions amid mounting challenges.

November 8, 2024

As Donald Trump prepares to take office again, Canada faces an impending crisis at its southern border. Trump’s commitment to mass deportations of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. could lead to a significant uptick in migrants attempting to cross into Canada, fleeing the threat of deportation in search of refuge. With two and a half months left until Trump’s inauguration, time is short, and Canada is unprepared for the consequences. Border officials, community groups, and advocates are sounding the alarm, yet there is a concerning lack of urgency from both the Trudeau government and the opposition. The need for a united, proactive, and practical approach is clear—if action is not taken immediately, Canada risks becoming overwhelmed by a migration surge that we are ill-equipped to handle.

The U.S.-Canada border, the longest in the world, is an expansive frontier that is not easily secured in every area. Even in the best of times, managing it requires resources, planning, and coordination between federal and provincial governments. The changes to the Safe Third Country Agreement last year eliminated the Roxham Road loophole, but the RCMP and border officials warn that people desperate for a safe haven will simply find other, more dangerous routes. Sgt. Charles Poirier of the RCMP confirmed that Canada’s federal police force has been planning for an influx along these remote paths but still requires more resources, personnel, and facilities to be ready for the worst-case scenario. With a lack of manpower at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the union representing border officers has stated that at least 2,000 to 3,000 more officers are needed to handle additional pressures effectively. Canada’s border cannot function effectively or humanely under the strain of a major surge without these essential resources.

News: Canada prepares for a rise in border crossings with threat of mass deportations under Trump

March 29, 2023

Canada’s immigration system is already under tremendous pressure. Our urban centres, particularly in Quebec and Ontario, have limited affordable housing. Canadian housing markets are stretched beyond capacity, with escalating rents and limited supply in both major cities and smaller communities. While immigration is vital to our economic growth, we are now dealing with the consequences of failing to provide sufficient housing and infrastructure to support newcomers. More migrants crossing the border without clear plans in place will only worsen these issues, adding to the strain on our social services and healthcare systems, which are already struggling to meet demand.

March 3, 2023

Canada is in no position to delay action. Yet, despite the immediate need, there has been little political response from the Trudeau government, aside from broad assurances of readiness from Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland. Meanwhile, it is unclear what Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative leader and potential future prime minister, proposes for Canada’s border. This should not be a matter for partisan bickering. With the U.S. election results clear, our leaders should have already convened to discuss a cross-party approach to a secure border strategy, ensuring Canada’s response prioritizes both compassion and pragmatism. Canada needs a unified stance, with every party working toward the same goal of preserving national integrity and security while managing the impending human impact.

It is critical that Canada establishes a balanced, decisive approach to processing asylum seekers and other migrants who may be forced north. This involves preparing our border forces to patrol effectively and humanely, securing facilities to house and process individuals, and instituting clear policies on documentation, security checks, and procedures for asylum claims.

News: RCMP already ‘on high alert’ for potential wave of migrants after Trump election

June 23, 2021

Canada must also take steps to ensure migrants understand the risks of illegal crossings, which can be deadly, especially in winter. The RCMP has reported tragic cases of hypothermia, frostbite, and even fatalities among those who have attempted to cross the border in recent years. We should provide clear, transparent information to prevent unnecessary tragedies and work to dissuade migrants from pursuing perilous routes.

At this juncture, Canada must also recognize its limits. We cannot absorb an influx of migrants beyond what we already handle each year without severely impacting housing, healthcare, and social services. Canada should look to work with international partners and humanitarian agencies to coordinate a response that addresses the broader regional implications of the U.S. crackdown on undocumented migrants.

October 14, 2021

This is a delicate, deeply consequential issue that demands a tough but fair response. Canada is a compassionate, welcoming nation, but to maintain this openness, we must ensure our borders and systems are not overrun. Canadians need to know that their government has a plan—a responsible, humane, and proactive approach to securing our border and managing any increase in asylum seekers resulting from U.S. policies.

This is not a crisis Canada can afford to leave to chance. Immediate action, resource allocation, and cross-party commitment are needed to ensure a balanced approach that protects our country while upholding our values. Canada’s response must begin now.


It’s baffling, honestly, why there isn’t more urgency in Canada about the wave that could soon be moving toward us. We know Donald Trump’s election victory has resurrected his immigration agenda, with a cornerstone policy aimed at deporting millions of undocumented migrants from the U.S. And there are only two places they could go: south to where they escaped, or north to us. Given that many entered through the southern U.S. border, one might guess that returning to the life-or-death situations they fled won’t be their first choice. They likely won’t wait around until Inauguration Day to gamble their futures. These individuals have endured family separations and seen kids held in cages, with the stark memory of it all still very much alive. Now, with the promise of new internment camps looming. internment camps, that’s right. Can anyone really blame them for looking to Canada?

Our government has expressed sympathy for immigrants, but we’ve yet to see any coherent plan or concrete support to prepare for what’s coming. Canada needs immigrants, and historically, we’ve done our part by accepting waves of new Canadians. It’s only right as a G7 country, especially since we’ve played a role in the conflicts and displacements that drive many to flee: think Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, and beyond. This is a country of immigrants, built by waves of people who needed a second chance.

However, we’re already feeling the strains of past decisions. Housing markets are tight, our social systems are stretched, and yet we can’t afford to pretend that we can absorb an unlimited number of people without a plan. Trump’s deportation plan won’t be a slow simmer; it’s going to boil over fast, most certainly within his first hundred days. Probably before the year is out. Yet here we are, divided, stuck in Ottawa’s political bickering, and apparently convinced that someone else will rise to the challenge.

What’s baffling is that as Trump gears up for mass deportations, Canada’s leadership isn’t visibly uniting on this issue. This is the time for non-partisan action—a coordinated, realistic plan with all-party support to manage both our security and our responsibility to those seeking safety. Canada needs to wake up to what’s coming and start preparing now.

– The Graeme Gallery

Read on Substack

 

Posted in: Canada, USA Tagged: 2024-20, ASA, Border, Canada, Deportation, Donald Trump, Immigration, Justin Trudeau, migrants, Pierre Poilievre, security, Substack, undocumented

Friday March 3, 2023

March 3, 2023 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday March 3, 2023

Bused out of Quebec, francophone asylum seekers struggle to get medical services

Over the phone, the woman’s voice is regretful but hurried — she says she’s sorry, but if the French-speaking migrant on the other end of the line cannot find someone to translate English, the doctor won’t see him for the medical exam he needs in order to claim asylum in Canada.

March 24, 2022

CBC News obtained a recording of the phone conversation the man says took place Wednesday in Niagara Falls, Ont. 

“It’s not possible to speak with the doctor if you can’t speak English,” the woman tells him in French. “You have to find someone at your hotel to help you.” 

“I don’t know anyone here,” Guirlin — whose last name CBC News has agreed to withhold because of his precarious immigration status — replies.

Guirlin and his family are among the more than 5,500 asylum seekers who have been bused by Canada’s government from Quebec’s border with the U.S. to cities in Ontario, including Windsor, Cornwall and Niagara Falls. 

They are also among a number of those — mostly francophones from Haiti or countries in Africa — for whom the transfer happened against their wishes since they could not afford to find a place to stay immediately. Their plan all along was to live in Quebec.

February 17, 2023

Guirlin, his wife, who is six months pregnant, and their four-year-old son ended up in Niagara Falls on Feb. 14. Originally from Haiti, the family had been struggling to make ends meet in Brazil, when they decided to travel north through a dozen countries to make their way to Canada. 

When they arrived on Feb. 11 via Roxham Road, the popular irregular border crossing south of Montreal, they were asked by immigration officers where they planned to live in Canada.

“I said we want to stay in Montreal because I don’t speak English and my wife doesn’t either, and she needs to have medical appointments for the pregnancy,” Guirlin said in a phone interview Thursday. 

He says they were told in the following days there was no space for them in Montreal, and that they were being sent to Ontario. They boarded a bus with roughly 40 other asylum seekers from a number of other countries last Tuesday. For now, the government has put them up in a hotel. (CBC) 

 

Posted in: Canada, International, Quebec, USA Tagged: 2023-04, Asylum seekers, Border, Canada, Francois Legault, french, Haiti, Immigration, Justin Trudeau, language, migrant, Niagara Falls, Quebec, refugee, Roxham Road

Tuesday January 10, 2023

January 10, 2023 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday January 10, 2023

Three Amigos Summit 2023

February 23, 2017

Mexico draws millions of international tourists each year with its sandy beaches, mountains, rainforests and rich culture.

But travelling anywhere can come with safety risks, as Canadians in the Mexican state of Sinaloa experienced last week following the Jan. 5 arrest of alleged drug trafficker Ovidio Guzman. Guzman is a son of former cartel boss Joaquin Guzman, also known as El Chapo. His capture resulted in explosions of violence in cities across the state, led by members of the Sinaloa cartel.

As a result of the violence in Sinaloa, the Canadian government has issued an advisory warning travellers to avoid non-essential travel to several states in northern, western and central Mexico and to exercise a “high degree of caution” in other parts of the country. (CTV News) 

November 18, 2021

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is hoping to champion North America free trade while settling trade irritants at the “Three Amigos” summit in Mexico City, but his priorities might be drowned out by more pressing border issues between the United States and Mexico.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is hoping to champion North America free trade while settling trade irritants at the “Three Amigos” summit in Mexico City, but his priorities might be drowned out by more pressing border issues between the United States and Mexico.

“I think as it’s currently framed, the North American Summit is a lot about Mexico,” said Maryscott Greenwood, CEO of the Canadian American Business Council, who noted that Biden preceded his visit to Mexico by inspecting a busy port of entry for migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border.

In that context, Trudeau’s main challenge as he steps foot in Mexico City will be “to be relevant and to be heard,” added Greenwood.

March 23, 2005

“For Canada to be really heard and noticed, it has to have one priority and it has to be really aggressive about it. And I realize that’s sort of un-Canadian,” she said. “But that’s the way it goes with trying to capture the attention and the imagination of the United States, which has a lot going on.”

Speaking from Mexico City, Louise Blais, a former diplomat and now senior special adviser to the Business Council of Canada, said that while the border issues will be “distracting,” she thinks the Canadian delegation will manage to carve out time for the files it feels are important.

“So that’s a challenge, but that’s not to say that it won’t happen,” said Blais.

Trudeau arrived in Mexico City on Monday for a three-day visit, which will include bilateral meetings Tuesday with Biden and Lopez Obrador as well as meetings with business leaders. (The National Post) 

 

Posted in: Canada, International, USA Tagged: 2023-01, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Border, Canada, diplomacy, gangs, International, Joe Biden, Justin Trudeau, Mexico, migrants, summit, Three amigos, USA, violence
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